Trouble has officially arrived in Fayetteville.
Arkansas needed just one win to clinch bowl eligibility in coach Sam Pittman’s third year. The Razorbacks were two-touchdown favorites over Liberty on Saturday, so it stood to reason the Hogs would do it then, in Week 10.
Not even close. Until it was.
Liberty held Arkansas to 144 yards rushing and didn’t allow the Hogs to score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Arkansas tried, getting two, including one with 1:11 left to pull the game within two points. But KJ Jefferson was stopped on the goal line to create the final score, 21-19.
Arkansas has No. 17 LSU, No. 10 Ole Miss and a game against Battle Line rival Missouri to finish the season. A bowl is far from guaranteed.
The Flames, coached by former Ole Miss head man Hugh Freeze, hassled Arkansas all game. Arkansas’ offensive line couldn’t pave the way for the run game and quarterback KJ Jefferson went 23 for 37 passing with two interceptions. He was also sacked four times.
Arkansas’ defense mostly held up their end. They gave up 21 points and held Liberty to just 79 second-half yards. Johnathan Bennett made timely throws, however, tossing three touchdowns passes all of which came in the first half.
The Razorbacks host Ole Miss in Week 11.
[vertical-gallery id=14555]
[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3h383th881vsf1 player_id=none image=https://razorbackswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]